KRAYOLOGY An Independent Examination of the Rise and Demise of the Brothers Kray: 1933-68

Hardback. SIGNED. The story of Reginald and Ronald Kray appears to warrant continued retelling. Identical twins, born in a poor and dirty part of London to a peculiar - some would say dysfunctional - family, they were bullies who hated bullies; heavy drinkers who hated drunks; identical twins who gradually became different in both appearance and temperament; bisexuals (openly so in Ronnie's case) in an age when homosexuality was illegal and still 'the love that dare not speak its name'; they adored their mother with cloying devotion, yet were prone to awful acts of unprovoked violence; criminals who, rather than keeping their head down, courted publicity and fame. They were at home in the exclusive clubs of the West End as much as they were in the dingy pubs of the East End. It is a contradiction-riddled story of survival, the desire for success and wealth, pride, and power games, all laced with shocking violence, paranoia, glamour and, strange as it may seem, some genuinely surreal comic moments. Add to that a whole cast of colourful, real-life characters from the realms of East End crime, sport, showbiz and the aristocracy and you have quite a saga. But is there anything left to be said? Actually, there is quite a lot. Illus. in colour and b/w. With Afterword, Appendices and Index. 410pp. lge. 8vo. h/back. With tipped-in label SIGNED BY JOHN BENNETT. As New in dw. A fairly heavy book which may require additional, particularly if shipped overseas.